DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 22 SEP 2017

i. The Union Cabinet has approved the revamped
Khelo India program at a cost of Rs.1,756 cr for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20.

ii. The Programme aims at mainstreaming sport as a
tool for individual development, community development, economic development
and national development.

iii. An unprecedented Pan Indian Sports Scholarship
scheme, which would cover 1,000 most talented young athletes. This is the 1st
time ever that a long-term athlete development pathway would be made available
to gifted and talented youngsters to excel in competitive sports.

iv. The Program aims to promote 20 universities
across the country as hubs of sporting excellence, which would enable talented
sportspersons to pursue the dual pathway of education and competitive
sports.

2.WORLD TRADE TO GROW AT HIGHER 3.6% IN 2017: WTO

i. World trade in goods is estimated to grow at a
higher 3.6% in 2017 compared to 1.6% increase in 2016, according to revised
estimates circulated by the World Trade Organisation.

ii. Growth in global trade was earlier projected at
2.4% in 2017 by the WTO, which attributed the improved outlook to a resurgence
of Asian trade flows. This was mainly due to intra-regional shipments picking
up and a recovery in import demand in North America.

3.INDIA REPLACES CHINA AS TOP RETAIL DESTINATION IN 2017

i. India has replaced China as the top retail
destination in 2017 as part of the global retail development index. The change
in ranking was an outcome of 4 factors including increased consumer spending
beyond essentials, rising mobile and internet penetration, favorable foreign
investment climate and bold action on cashless transaction and GST.

ii. In addition to the bigger retailers and brands,
the mid-size brands from across the world are also looking to cash on the
relaxed retail policy in India.

4.ZANNAH MUSTAPHA WINS UNHCR NANSEN REFUGEE AWARD

i. A Nigerian, Zannah Mustapha has won the UN High
Commission for Refugees 2017 Nansen Refugees Award. He is the Director of
Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School. Mr. Mustapha is the first Nigerian
recipient of the award.

ii. Mr. Mustapha was chosen as the winner of the
award for his humanitarian work in championing the rights of children.

i. The official emblem and slogan for FIFA Women's World
Cup France 2019 were unveiled in Paris, France. The emblem features the
competition trophy wrapped in blue and white, with eight shards of light around
football at the top of the trophy symbolizing the eighth edition of the FIFA
Women's World Cup.

ii. The slogan of the tournament "Dare To
Shine" reflects the development of football, especially women's football.

6.WEST BENGAL GETS $300 MILLION LOAN FROM ADB FOR FISCAL REFORMS

i. Asian Development Bank has approved a loan of $
300 million to carry out fiscal reforms in West Bengal to make public services
more accessible, affordable, and high quality.

ii. The reforms would be implemented in a period of
2 years. The reforms include linking medium term expenditure plans to actual
budgets, strengthening internal audit system and enhancements in the integrated
financial management system.

iii. The reforms also include improved tax
monitoring and support for information technology systems in tax and land
administration.

iv. Gross state domestic product is expected to
rise to 2.2 % by 2021- 2022 after these reforms.

i. Dr.Sekhar Basu, Chairman of Atomic Energy
Commission and Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy attended the 61st IAEA
General Conference held in Vienna, Austria.

ii. The 61st Annual International Atomic Energy
Agency General Conference is conducted at
the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.

iii. Representatives of IAEA Member States discuss
various issues in the Conference. Dr.Sekhar Basu announced that India is
collaborating with Russia to build the Roppur power plant in Bangladesh, at the
IAEA General Conference. This is India’s first atomic energy plant abroad.

8.B SAMBAMURTHY APPOINTED AS NPCI INTERIM BOARD CHAIRMAN

i. The Board of National Payments Corporation of
India has appointed of B Sambamurthy as interim Chairman of the Board.

ii. NPCI is an umbrella organisation for all retail
payment systems in the country. Sambamurthy has replaced Balachandran M.

iii. Prior to that Sambamurthy was formerly
Director and CEO of Institute for Development and Research in Banking
Technology and Chairman and Managing Director of Corporation Bank.

9.FINO PAYMENTS BANK LAUNCHES MOBILE BANKING APP – BPAY

i. Fino Payments Bank launched its mobile banking
app called BPay in India. BPay is an extension of its already existing wallet
in the same name that was launched in December 2016.

ii. This app enables simple, paperless and
convenient banking that allows customers to make bill payments, recharges, fund
transfers and buy insurance. It also allows customers to access wallet as well
as savings account, with a single login.

iii. Also, people can open Fino bank account from
BPay mobile app. More customer-centric features would be added to BPay in
future.

10.INTERNATIONAL
DAY OF PEACE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

i. The International Day of Peace is observed
around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a
day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all
nations and peoples.

ii. The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace:
Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.”

iii. The theme defines the spirit of TOGETHER, a
global initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced
to flee their homes and those leaving in search of a better life.

iv. The International Day of Peace focuses on
engaging and mobilizing people throughout the world to show support for
refugees and migrants. It is about bringing people together and reminding them
of their common humanity.

OBJECTIVE
QUESTIONS BASED ON TODAY’S NEWS

Q1.
WHICH STATE HAS RECEIVED $300 MILLION LOAN FROM ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK FOR
FISCAL REFORMS?

a) West Bengal

b) Gujarat

c) Sikkim

d) Bihar

Q2.
WHERE DID THE 61ST IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE HELD?

a) Budapest , Hungary

b) Vienna, Austria

c) Hamburg , Germany

d) Moscow, Russia

Q3.
TO WHICH ORGANIZATION B SAMBAMURTHY APPOINTED AS INTERIM CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD?

a) NBTC

b) NACP

c) NPCI

d) NBCC

Q4.
LAWYER ZANNAH MUSTAPHA’S WAS AWARDED WITH UNHCR TOP UN PEACE PRIZE. HE BELONGS
TO WHICHCOUNTRY?

a) Austria

b) South Africa

c) Cuba

d) Nigeria

Q5.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BANK HAS LAUNCHED ITS MOBILE BANKING APP CALLED BPAY IN
INDIA?